Zipper less removable windows for a folding SUV soft top

ABSTRACT

A zipper less removable window system having removable windows for use with a foldable, stowable roof for a vehicle. A plurality of attachment devices of the zipper less removable window system connect the windows to the foldable, stowable roof and to the vehicle without the use of zippers. The operator zipper effort caused by traditional windows is thereby eliminated and misalignment issues present with traditional zippered windows is eliminated or reduced. The stress placed on the portions of the windows connectable to the foldable roof during installation and removal, including around curved portions of the removable window, is eliminated or reduced.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/245,839, filed Apr. 30, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/428,340, filed May 31, 2019, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/784,873, filed Oct.16, 2017, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,350,970, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/968,291, filed Dec. 14, 2015, issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 9,827,833, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/222,156, filed Mar. 21, 2014, issued as U.S.Pat. No. 9,238,400, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/804,471, filed Mar. 22, 2013. The disclosures of theabove applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a window attachment system suitedfor selectively connecting removable windows to a foldable roof of afoldable, stowable roof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Foldable stowable roof tops are commonly used in sport-utility vehiclesfor recreational purposes. The foldable roof is typically moved betweena stowed position, and a deployed position. When in the deployedposition, the foldable roof protects the occupants of the vehicle fromvarious weather conditions. The foldable roof also includes varioussections which are made of a clear material to essentially function as awindow, allowing the occupant of the vehicle to see outside of thevehicle. It is also sometimes desirable to open these clear windowsections when weather conditions are favorable, but the occupant(s) ofthe vehicle may not desire to change the foldable roof to the stowedposition.

Because these window sections are also foldable and/or removable,typical window crank devices and electric motors used for opening andclosing a window made of glass (which is rigid and not foldable) are notsuitable for use with a foldable roof. Therefore, other methods ofopening the foldable window have been developed.

One of these methods is a zipper which is typically one continuouszipper that surrounds all sides of the window but one. The one side ofthe window which is not surrounded by the zipper is the foldable side,allowing the window to be folded from the closed to the open position.One of the drawbacks to this type of design is that typical zippers aredesigned for connecting two sheets of material along a substantiallystraight surface. These zippers are difficult to align and misalignmentresults in higher zipper effort. In addition, both sides of the zipperare in the same plane and the difference between the radius of the outerwindow connected to the zipper and the radius of the foldable roofconnected to the zipper is typically the width of the zipper. This makesthe zipper difficult to use around the corners of the window becausethere is an imbalanced amount of stress placed on the portion of thezipper connected to the window and the portion of the zipper connectedto the foldable roof. Another one of the drawbacks is that the window isnot removable, which necessitates clear, foldable, window sections thatmust be folded and secured out of the way taking up space within thevehicle and can create noise from vibrating in the wind when the vehicleis moving.

Another of these methods for opening the window is employing a removablewindow. Current soft windows are attached to the soft top via zippers.These prove to be quite cumbersome to use. It is difficult to align thezipper end into the box end of the corresponding zipper on the soft top.Secondly, the zipper can be difficult to close and/or open as theefforts can be quite high due to zipper misalignment between the softtop and window assembly. This is caused by manufacturing issues and/ortolerances such as in alignment during the sewing process that is usedto attach the zippers to the soft top and windows. Misalignment cancause the zipper teeth to skip thereby making the zipping motion effortshigh. Any variation of the zipper alignment can result in higher zipperefforts around at least the upper rear corner where the curved portionof the window is connectable to the roof resulting in installationdifficulty of the window. Another issue from zipper teeth skippingand/or misalignment of zipper halfs is that this can cause the window tonot be closed all the way resulting in gaps where water and air canenter the vehicle.

Accordingly, there exists a need for removable windows including zipperless attachments which are suitable for providing a selective connectionbetween a foldable roof and the removable windows having variousstraight and curved areas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a zipper less removable windowassembly having window attachment devices for eliminating zippers foruse with a foldable, stowable roof for a vehicle, where the foldableroof includes one or more removable windows made of a plastic materialsuch as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The window attachment devices areeasier to use and reduce the stress/effort caused by conventionalzippers which are difficult to operate.

The foldable, stowable roof is connected to a vehicle, and has at leastone curved portion and at least one straight portion. Additionally, theremovable window is also connected to the vehicle, and the removablewindow has at least one curved portion and at least one straightportion. The curved portion of the foldable, stowable roof generallycorresponds to the shape of the curved portion of the removable window.The removable window comprises a plurality of attachment devicesselectively connecting the foldable, stowable roof to the removablewindow. Each of the plurality of attachment devices is zipper less andhas a first half connected to the foldable, stowable roof and a secondhalf connected to the removable window. The plurality of windowattachment devices connect the left side quarter window, right sidequarter window, and rear window to the vehicle and the foldable,stowable roof.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a first half of a zipper on a deck sidestrip connected to a foldable roof used for a window;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a second half of the zipper connected toa quarter window used for connecting the window to the deck sidestrip/foldable roof of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first half of the zipper of FIG. 1connected to the second half of the zipper of FIG. 2 along a straightportion;

FIG. 4 is a rear side perspective view of a curved portion of thequarter window and the foldable roof of FIGS. 1-3 showing the zipper asit nears the curved portion as the zipper is zipped closed;

FIG. 5 is a schematic for a vehicle incorporating zipper less removablewindows, for selectively connecting a foldable roof and removablewindows, according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along section A-A of FIG. 5,according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along section B-B of FIG. 5,according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along section C-C of FIG. 5,according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic for the vehicle of FIG. 5 incorporating zipperless removable quarter and rear windows, for selectively connecting afoldable roof and the removable windows showing additional crosssections, according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken along section D-D of FIG. 9,according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken along section E-E of FIG. 9,according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken along section F-F of FIG. 9,according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a rear right side perspective view of a rear window carrierslid onto a rear deck valance, according to the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a front side perspective view of a quarter window carrierslid onto the deck side strip, according to the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a rear left side perspective view of an installed rear windowand a quarter window connected to the foldable roof, according to thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-4, a typical zipper, shown generally at10, is connected to a deck side strip/foldable roof 12 and a window 14,e.g., a quarter window. Such conventional windows with zippers areproblematic. The zipper 10 can be connected to the foldable roof 12 andthe window 14 by a first seam of a first half 16 and can be connected tothe window 14 through the use of a second seam of a second half 18. Thezipper start location is critical in relation to the corresponding starton the window and yet variation is common such as at least +/−10millimeters of variation. This is caused by sewing tolerances duringmanufacturing and other manufacturing issues. In addition, the placementof the zipper 10 on the deck side strip is critical to the correspondingzipper half on the window 14 and yet variation is common such as atleast +/−10 millimeters of variation. Another issue with typical zippersystems is that the alignment of the zipper to the quarter window 14 canvary, such as at least +/−5 millimeters of variation, and does not alignperfectly with a “V” notch indicator in the window fabric reinforcement.In particular, there is misalignment with the second seam/zipper and theconcentric window fabric reinforcement in the corner area of the window14. FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional first half 16 of a zipper on afoldable roof 12 having a zipper start location that can vary by atleast +/−5 mm from the edge. FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional secondhalf 18 of a zipper on a window 14 having a zipper start location thatcan vary by at least +/−5 mm.

FIG. 3 illustrates installation of the window 14 zipper start into thedeck side box end of the foldable roof 12. This can be difficult,compounded by the variations and misalignment of these features,resulting in the zipper teeth to skipping, thereby making the zipper 10motion efforts high. Further, any variations of the zipper manufacturingalignment can result in high zipper 10 efforts around the cornerportions, e.g., around the upper rear corner depicted in FIG. 4, showngenerally at 20, resulting in installation difficulty of the window 14.

Referring generally to FIGS. 5-15, there is provided a zipper lessremovable window assembly, shown generally at 100, connected to avehicle 11. The zipper less removable window assembly 100 includes aplurality of removable windows, shown generally at 102, having aplurality of window attachments, where the plurality of removablewindows 102 includes a rear window 104, a left quarter window 106, and aright quarter window 108. The plurality of window attachments allows forselectively connecting the plurality of removable windows 102 to afoldable, stowable roof when it is desired to close off the vehicleinterior from the outside environment.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 5 is a schematic incorporating afoldable, stowable roof 110 connected to the zipper less removablewindow assembly 100 without the use of zippers. The plurality ofremovable windows 102 are connectable to the foldable, stowable roof 110and to the vehicle 11 using the plurality of window attachments havingno zippers.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectionalview taken along section A-A of FIG. 5 depicting the left quarter window106 coupled to the foldable, stowable roof 110. The left quarter window106 is a zipper less removable window that connects to the vehicle andconnects to the top deck 110 a curved area of the foldable, stowableroof 110 and connects to a deck side strip 116. The left quarter window106 has a quarter window glass 112, most preferably, made of PVC. Aquarter window carrier 114 is connected along the upper longitudinaledge of the quarter window glass 112. Most preferably, a longitudinalrecess or notch 113 is provided in the quarter window carrier 114 andthe quarter window glass 112 is affixed to one or more abutting surfacesin the recess, e.g., using adhesive and/or a film adhesive, mostpreferably, sewing and/or combinations thereof. Preferably, the quarterwindow carrier 114 is formed of molded plastic, e.g., compositematerial, reinforced fibers, etc.

The quarter window carrier 114 has a first channel portion, showngenerally at 115, that is generally C-shaped. The first channel portion115 is open on at least one end to slidably receive a bulb portion of afirst ‘P’ welt retainer therein. A deck side strip 116 of fabric isconnected to the top deck 110 a of the foldable, stowable roof 110, mostpreferably, sewn to the top deck 110 a at one end, and is connected tothe first ‘P’ welt retainer 118 toward the other end. The deck sidestrip 116 is wrapped around the first ‘P’ welt retainer 118 andconnected thereto, e.g., using adhesive and/or, most preferably, sewingthe first ‘P’ welt retainer 118 in a pocket formed by the deck sidestrip 116. The first channel portion 115 of the quarter window carrier114 is suitably sized to allow selective sliding of the elongatedchannel 115 along the length of the first ‘P’ welt retainer 118 and toretain the first ‘P’ welt retainer 118 longitudinally within the channel115 while preventing undesirable lateral movement of the first ‘P’ weltretainer 118 out of the channel 115, including, moving laterally out ofthe channel 115.

The quarter window carrier 114 further has a second channel portion 119that is generally U-shaped forming an elongated open channel that isgenerally angled downward and outward from the first channel portion115. The end of the top deck 110 a is connected to a top deck retainer120 and binding top deck 122 portion. The top deck retainer 120 isselectively received within the second channel portion 119. When it isdesired to connect the quarter window glass 112 to the foldable,stowable roof 110, the top deck 110 a is folded down over the outwardside of the quarter window carrier 114 and the top deck retainer 120 issnapped into the second channel portion 119. When it is desired toremove the quarter window glass 112, an operator disengages the top deckretainer 120 from the second channel portion 119. Preferably, thequarter top deck retainer 120 is formed of molded plastic, e.g.,composite material, reinforced fibers, etc.

The right quarter window 108 and corresponding features aresubstantially mirror image to the left quarter window 106 andcorresponding features.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectionalview taken along section B-B of FIG. 5 depicting the rear window 104coupled to the foldable, stowable roof 110. The rear window 104 is azipper less removable window that connects to the vehicle and connectsto a rear valence top deck 132 curved rear area of the rear top deck 110b of the foldable, stowable roof 110. The rear window 104 also connectsto a rear side strip 128. The rear window 104 has a rear window glass124, most preferably, made of PVC. A rear window carrier 126 isconnected along the upper longitudinal edge of the rear window glass124. Most preferably, a longitudinal recess or notch 125 is provided inthe rear window carrier 126 and the rear window glass 124 is affixed toone or more abutting surfaces in the recess, e.g., using adhesive and/ora film adhesive.

The rear window carrier 126 has a third channel portion, shown generallyat 127, that is generally C-shaped. The third channel portion 127 isopen on at least one end to slidably receive a bulb portion of a second‘P’ welt retain therein. The rear side strip 128 of fabric is connectedto the rear top deck 110 b of the foldable, stowable roof 110, mostpreferably, sewn to the rear top deck 110 b at one end, and is connectedto the second ‘P’ welt retainer 130 toward the other end. The rear sidestrip 128 is wrapped around the second ‘P’ welt retainer 130 andconnected thereto, e.g., using adhesive and/or sewing the second ‘P’welt retainer 130 in a pocket formed by the rear side strip 128. Thethird channel portion 127 of the rear window carrier 126 is suitablysized to allow selective sliding of the elongated channel 127 along thelength of the second ‘P’ welt retainer 130 and to retain the second ‘P’welt 130 longitudinally within the channel 127 while preventingundesirable lateral movement of the second ‘P’ welt retainer 130 out ofthe channel 127, including, moving laterally out of the channel 127.

The end of the rear top deck 110 b is connected to a rear valance topdeck 132. Most preferably, an end of the rear valance top deck 132 andan end of the rear side strip 128 are sandwiched between an end of therear top deck 110 b and a liner of the upper horizontal rear support barof the vehicle, and connected together, e.g., sewn together.

The rear window carrier 126 further has a fourth channel portion 134that is generally U-shaped forming an elongated open channel that isgenerally angled downward and outward from the third channel portion127. The lower end of the rear valance top deck 132 is connected to arear top deck retainer 136 and rear binding top deck 138 portion. Therear top deck retainer 136 is selectively received within the fourthchannel portion 134. When it is desired to connect the rear window glass104 to the foldable, stowable roof 110, the rear valance top deck 132 isfolded down over the rearward side of the rear window carrier 126 andthe rear top deck retainer 136 is snapped into the fourth channelportion 124. When it is desired to remove the rear window glass 104, anoperator disengages the rear top deck retainer 134 from the fourthchannel portion 134. Preferably, the rear window carrier 126 and rearbinding top deck 138 is formed of molded plastic, e.g., compositematerial, reinforced fibers, etc.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectionalview taken along section C-C of FIG. 5 depicting the left quarter rearwindow 106 coupled to the rear window 104 toward the left rear corner ofthe vehicle. A rear window side carrier 140 is connected along thevertical edge of the rear window glass 124. Most preferably, anelongated recess or notch 141 is provided in the rear window sidecarrier 140 and the rear window glass 124 is affixed to one or moreabutting surfaces in the recess, e.g., using adhesive and/or a filmadhesive. The left quarter window 106 has a quarter window panel 144 offabric connected to a rear quarter window retainer 142. The rear quarterwindow retainer 142 is received in a fifth channel portion 143 formed inthe rear window side carrier 140 that is generally U-shaped forming anelongated open channel to selectively receive and retain the elongatedrear quarter window retainer 142 therein. Preferably, the rear windowside carrier 140 and/or rear quarter window retainer 142 is formed ofmolded plastic, e.g., composite material, reinforced fibers, etc.

The right hand side of the rear window 104 coupled to the right quarterwindow 108 and all of the corresponding features are substantiallymirror image to the left quarter window 106 and corresponding featurescoupled to the rear window 104 and corresponding features depicted inFIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a schematic for the vehicle of FIG. 5 identifying additionalcross sections depicted in FIGS. 10-12.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectionalview taken along section D-D of FIG. 9 depicting the left quarter rearwindow 106 coupled to a removable door rail 148. This provides thevertical connection along the front leading edge of the left quarterwindow 106 adjacent the rear edge of the door of the vehicle. Thequarter window panel 144 of the left quarter window 106 is wrappedaround and connected to a front quarter window retainer 146, e.g., usingadhesive and/or sewing the front quarter window retainer 146 in a pocketformed by the quarter window panel 144 leading edge. The front quarterwindow retainer 146 is L-shaped and elongated. A sixth channel portion145 that is in the removable door rail 148 that is generally U-shapedforming an elongated open channel to selectively receive and retain oneof the legs of the L-shaped front quarter window retainer 146.

The right quarter window 108 and right removable door rail andcorresponding features are substantially mirror image to the leftquarter window 106 and removable door rail 147 and correspondingfeatures depicted in FIG. 10.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 11, FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectionalview taken along section E-E of FIG. 9 depicting the quarter windowpanel 144 of the left quarter window 106 connected, e.g., by adhesiveand/or sewing a quarter window belt retainer 150. The quarter windowbelt retainer 150 is located along the bottom of the left quarter window106 for engaging between, and being retainable by, a belt rail 152 ofthe vehicle body and a quarter panel outer 154 of the vehicle body. Thebelt rail 152 is connected to the quarter panel outer 154 and a quarterpanel inner 156. The outward end of the belt rail 152 is curved tocreate a recess that is elongated for receiving and retaining thecorresponding elongated quarter window belt retainer 150. This providesthe horizontal connection along the bottom edge of the left quarterwindow 106 to the vehicle.

The right quarter window 108 and corresponding features aresubstantially mirror image to the left quarter window 106 andcorresponding features depicted in FIG. 11.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 12, FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectionalview taken along section F-F of FIG. 9 depicting the rear window 104 forselectively coupling to a rear panel swing gate inner 158. The rearwindow 104 comprises a rear window lower valence 162 connected to athird ‘P’ welt retainer 164 and a binding rear window 166. The seventhchannel portion is generally C-shaped and open on at least one end toslidably receive a bulb portion of the third ‘P’ welt retainer 164therein. The rear window lower valence 162 of fabric is connected to the‘P’ welt retainer 164, e.g., using adhesive and/or sewn and/or sewingthe third ‘P’ welt retainer 164 in a pocket formed by the fabric of therear window lower valence 162. The seventh channel portion 165 of thetailgate bar 167 is suitably sized to allow selective sliding andretention of the elongated third ‘P’ welt retainer 164 longitudinallywithin the channel 165 while preventing undesirable lateral movement ofthe third ‘P’ welt retainer 164 out of the channel 165, including,moving laterally out of the channel 165. This provides the horizontalconnection along the bottom edge of the rear window 104 adjacent to therear swing gate of the vehicle. A swing gate weather strip 168, e.g., abulb seal, is also provided to provide a sealing function between thetailgate bar 167 and a panel swing gate outer of the vehicle body 160.

Referring generally to FIGS. 5-15, in an embodiment of the presentinvention, the installation of the zipper less removable window assembly10 will now be explained. When it is desired to close the removable rearwindow 104 a user aligns and slidably engages the rear window carrier126 on the top of the window onto the rear side strip 128 where thesecond ‘P’ welt retainer 126 is located. The user slides the removablewindow 104 on the rear valance top deck 132 until the window is fullyengaged across the length of the valance 132. The user pre-engages thetail gate bar 167 onto the third ‘P’ welt retainer 164 at the bottom ofthe rear window 104. The user slides the tail gate bar 167 on the frontwindow ‘P’ welt retainer 164 until the tail gate bar 167 is fullyengaged across the length of the third window ‘P’ welt retainer 164.Then the user rolls the tail gate bar 167 into the tail gate bar clip170 on the vehicle body. The user aligns the rear window cornerretainer, e.g., binding rear window 166 with the tailgate clip 170 andsnaps the rear window corner retainer into the tailgate clip. If thequarter windows do not require installation, the top deck 110 b/132 canthen be installed at the rear window 104, as explained in greater detailbelow.

The installation of a quarter window will now be explained, e.g., leftside quarter window 106. When it is desired to close the removable leftquarter window 106 (and/or right rear quarter window 108) a user alignsthe quarter window carrier 114 on the top of the quarter window onto thedeck side strip 116 at the upper rear corner. The user slides thequarter window carrier 114 along the deck side strip 116 until the leftquarter window 106 is fully engaged along the length of the deck sidestrip 116. The user pre-engages the front quarter window retainer 146into the removable door rail 148 until the front quarter window retainer146 is fully engaged into the removable door rail 148.

The user then tucks the upper quarter window flaps between the deck sidestrip 116 and the top deck 110 a at the front, e.g., toward direction ofvehicle hood. The user aligns and engages the top deck retainer 120 to aquarter window upper front corner retainer. Then aligns and engages thetop deck retainer 120 to the quarter window carrier 114 from the frontcorner across the top of the window. The top deck retainer 120 isengaged to the quarter window carrier 114 along the entire length. Theuser folds down the roof edge 110.

The user then aligns and inserts the quarter window belt retainer intothe vehicle body belt rail at the lower front corner, e.g., in thedirection toward vehicle hood, until the quarter window belt retainer isfully inserted into the vehicle body belt rail 152. The user aligns andengages the quarter window retainer 150 into the vehicle body belt rail152 at a lower front corner of the quarter window 106. The user insertsthe quarter window retainer 150 until the quarter window retainer 150 isfully engaged into the vehicle body belt rail 152.

The user aligns and engages the rear quarter window retainer 142 intothe rear window side carrier 140. The user aligns and engages thequarter rear belt rail retainer 150 into the vehicle body belt rail 152at the lower rear corner of the vehicle.

The installation of the top deck at the rear window will now beexplained. The user aligns and engages the rear top deck retainer 136into the rear window carrier 126 at the upper corner, e.g., upper rightcorner on the rear of the vehicle. The user engages the rear top deck136 retainer into the rear window carrier 126 along the entire lengththereof.

In the fully installed position, the top deck is folded down over thetop of the removable windows to help create a weather tight seal.

When it is desired to open at least one of the windows the stepsdescribed above can be facilitated in reverse to disconnect and removethe window(s) from the foldable, stowable roof.

It is understood that one or more removable windows can be selectivelyinstalled and removed. By way of non-limiting example, when it isdesired by the user that the rear window be removed the quarter windowscan selectively remain connected to the foldable, stowable roof.

The removable window having the zipper less attachment design of thepresent invention facilitates the opening and closing of the removablewindow. Accordingly, there is a significant benefit to the positioningof the attachment devices and along all the edges of the removablewindows that are zipper less.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and,thus, variations that do not depart from the essence of the inventionare intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variationsare not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A removable window for a vehicle including: anelongated window panel having top and bottom spaced apart edges, andleft and right spaced apart edges; an elongated carrier attached to thepanel and extending a predetermined length along the top edge, thecarrier defining an elongated channel portion having a C-shape andadapted to receive an elongated P-shaped welt retainer disposed on thevehicle for supporting the window panel in a predetermined location onthe vehicle; an elongated belt retainer attached to the panel in apredetermined position and extending a predetermined length along thebottom edge, the belt retainer being adapted to engage an elongated beltrail disposed on the vehicle in order to draw the panel into tensionbetween the elongated carrier and the belt retainer along the length ofthe window panel.
 2. The window of claim 1 further including anelongated belt retainer disposed along at least one of the left andright edges of the panel for engaging a support structure.
 3. The windowof claim 1 wherein the panel includes a substantially rectangular pieceof flexible fabric defining a central opening, and a piece oftransparent plastic disposed in the opening and attached to the fabric.4. The window of claim 1 wherein the belt retainer is an elongated pieceof plastic sewn onto the window panel adjacent the bottom edge.
 5. Thewindow of claim 2 wherein the belt retainer is an elongated piece ofplastic sewn onto the window panel adjacent the edge.
 6. The window ofclaim 1 further including a window flap extending up from the top edgeadjacent one of the left and right edges.
 7. The window of claim 1wherein the elongated channel portion extends in line with the windowpanel.
 8. The window of claim 1 wherein the elongated carrier extendsalong most of the length of the top edge, and wherein the elongated beltretainer extends along most of the length of the bottom edge.
 9. Aremovable panel assembly for a vehicle comprising: a panel having afirst edge and a second edge, the first edge being disposed opposite thesecond edge; a first retainer comprising an attachment portion and anengagement portion, the attachment portion coupled to the first edge,and the engagement portion extending from the attachment portion; theengagement portion selected from one of a channel having a C-shapeadapted to receive a P-shaped welt and a P-shaped welt adapted to bereceived by C-shape channel; a second retainer coupled adjacent thesecond edge, the second retainer adapted to engage a receiving featuredisposed on a vehicle; wherein the first retainer and the secondretainer cooperate to maintain the panel in tension between the firstretainer and the second retainer along a length of the panel wheninstalled on the vehicle.
 10. The removable panel assembly of claim 9wherein the panel comprises a transparent panel portion having a widthand a height; and wherein the first retainer is an elongated firstretainer extending a first length along the first edge corresponding tothe width of the transparent panel portion proximate the first edge. 11.The removable panel assembly of claim 10 wherein the second retainer isan elongated second retainer extending a second length along the secondedge at least equal to the first length.
 12. A method for installing awindow panel onto a vehicle where: the vehicle defines at least one sidewindow opening with an elongated P-shaped welt retainer disposed in apredetermined location on the vehicle above the window opening, thevehicle further including an elongated belt rail disposed in apredetermined location on the vehicle below the window opening; andwhere the window panel is an elongated window panel having top andbottom spaced apart edges, and left and right spaced apart edges, thewindow panel including an elongated carrier extending a predetermineddistance along the top edge, the carrier defining an elongated channelportion having a C-shape and adapted to receive the elongated P-shapedwelt retainer disposed on the vehicle and an elongated belt retainerattached to the panel along the bottom edge, the belt retainer beingadapted to engage the elongated belt rail disposed on the vehicle; themethod including the steps of: engaging an end of the C-shaped channelportion with an end of the P-shaped welt retainer; sliding the windowalong the retainer until it is oriented longitudinally with the C-shapedchannel portion surrounding the P-shaped welt retainer; inserting thebelt retainer into the belt rail on the vehicle and thereby placing thepanel in tension between the belt rail and the P-shaped welt retainer.